Wildlife officer kills mountain lion caught at CSU Foothills Campus

Nov. 13, 2012

Written by

A Colorado Division of Wildlife officer on Sunday afternoon shot and killed a mountain lion that got into a goat shed at a research laboratory on Colorado State University’s Foothills Campus.

The animal was found in the pen twice and considered depredatory, meaning it had “keyed in on” livestock, Wildlife spokeswoman Jennifer Churchill said. While the giant felines wander into town year-round, mountain lions are spotted more frequently as temperatures cool.

It is “definitely” that time of year that sightings of mountain lions — and other animals — increase, Churchill said.

“They come into town quite frequently and just kind of poke around,” she said. “They’re curious like house cats.”

Studies show that mountain lions can have home ranges of up to 100 miles, Churchill said, but the cats often come into town after dusk and try to avoid people.

To protect property, pets and livestock from mountain lions and other wildlife, people could install motion-sensor lights, fence their yards, keep pets in fully enclosed kennels and escort pets when they have to go outside. Making noise, regularly shooing creatures and clearing vegetation that could provide cover are also recommended means to ensure wildlife doesn’t get accustomed to living in human yards.

Those who believe wildlife pose a threat to personal, property or livestock safety have the right to use force; Churchill said the DOW investigates these incidents.

People who notice wildlife hanging around an area or feel uncomfortable by an animal’s presence may call the Fort Collins DOW office at (970) 472-4300. For more information about living with wildlife, visit the DOW’s website, http://bit.ly/FCWildlife.